Process Patents (Class 47/58.1R)
  • Publication number: 20080244971
    Abstract: A method for the just-in-time delivery of harvested plant material and plant compounds grown in a genetically-isolated growth environment is provided. The desired crop is grown in an underground growth chamber according to a predetermined growing model in which all growing conditions are controlled. Component yield and completion time can be accurately forecast such that the harvest time of the plant material, or the completion of upstream plant extract recovery, can be accurately forecast. The use of an underground growth chamber allows for complete control over environmental factors in growth of the plant material, and also allows for the best possible protection of the growing environment against any contamination of genetic material from outside of the chamber, as well as protection of the outdoor environment against any contamination of genetic material from inside of the chamber. The method will be particularly useful in the production of plant-made pharmaceuticals and nutraceutical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: PRAIRIE PLANT SYSTEMS
    Inventor: BRENT ZETTL
  • Publication number: 20080196304
    Abstract: Lightweight, removable covers for harvested vegetative material, such as sod, stacked on a pallet are provided. A cover includes a top panel with side and end panels extending downwardly from the top panel to form an envelope shaped to fit snugly over the stacked material. The stacked material is arranged in a shape of predetermined length, breadth and height, and the envelope is configured to have a corresponding shape. The envelope surrounds the stacked material without enclosing the pallet. The length and breadth of each panel of the envelope corresponds to a respective portion of the shape of the stacked material. In addition, each panel comprises a flexible material that is impervious to moisture. An outside surface of each panel is light and heat-reflective to protect the covered material and an inside surface is non-reflective. One or more of the panels includes promotional and/or information indicia on an outside surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Pope
  • Publication number: 20080172936
    Abstract: A method of collecting seeds from a plant of Apocynaceae family, using a special implement (tubulet) for the seedpods, ripe seedpods covered with the tubulets, and seeds obtained by the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Andreas Boon, Ralph George Peckover
  • Publication number: 20080098650
    Abstract: A sprout cultivation device contains a watering member stacked on top of a multi-leveled close rack with an open bottom where a culture dish for sprouts is positioned at each level. The watering member contains a water basin with a mist maker inside and a heat exchanging element attached to the side of the water basin. A control element of the watering member periodically engages the mist maker to turn the water in the water basin into mist and the heat exchanging element to adjust the temperature of the water. A water refiller automatically refills the water basin from a water bottle until the water level of the water basin reaches a threshold. The mist descends down the levels of the rack to irrigate the sprouts in each culture dish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Mao-Sheng LEE
  • Patent number: 7353634
    Abstract: The invention relates to disposing of unwanted waste waters produced from purifying water. The methods of the present invention include applying waste water containing 0.15% by weight of the salts of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cl, SO4, and CO3 and mixtures thereof to soil to control dust, effect soil stabilization, seal ponds, inhibit root rot, and irrigate soil. The invention also relates to the utilization of waste waters within cooling towers and for laundry applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Inventor: Gerald J. Grott
  • Publication number: 20080078117
    Abstract: Methods for placing a container on young plants uses a container application device to quickly and effectively position a container around the young plants. The container application device includes a root section, a shoot section and mouth intermediate the root section and the shoot section. The containers placed on the young plants protects the young plants from wildlife browsing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy L. Kosderka, Jerry C. Barnes, Tina M. Herman
  • Patent number: 7308775
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of developing tree seedlings comprising germinating the seeds on a growing medium and air pruning the roots of the seedlings to a depth of about 3 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Forrest Keeling Nursey, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Lovelace, Hugh Steavenson, Bob Suddarth
  • Publication number: 20070277433
    Abstract: A seedling protection device includes a flexible strip of thin flat material having opposing surfaces and opposing ends, the strip being flexible to define an interior one of the opposing surfaces and to produce an intermediate overlapping interior region thereof, the strip including an adhesive at least in the intermediate overlapping interior region, the strip having a laminar cover extending substantially over the interior one of the opposing surfaces to protect the adhesive, pre-deployment, the laminar cover being removable from the interior one of the opposing surfaces in a deployment phase of use, the strip including on at least one surface region adjacent one or more opposing ends thereof a scented compound, the strip with the laminar cover removed and when flexed, during deployment, forming a collar configured to extend around and affix to a seedling stem near an extremity thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: David N. Stearns
  • Patent number: 7272911
    Abstract: A method of growing commercially valuable crops to improve crop production is disclosed. The method comprises creating a hole in the earth, preparing the hole to influence the downward growth of the root system of a tree planted therein, planting a tree in a rooting medium in the hole, growing commercially valuable crops on the tree by providing water and nutrients to the tree, and harvesting commercially valuable crops from the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Inventor: Edward G. Gatliff
  • Patent number: 7073289
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for producing orchid seedlings by static liquid culture, in which a suitable amount of orchid seeds are suspended in a liquid medium suitable for the germination and growth of the orchid seeds to form a seed suspension; the seed suspension is then added into an empty culture container, so that the seed suspension within the culture container has a predetermined depth sufficient to enable each of the seeds to be suspended within the liquid medium while not causing said each seedling to an oxygen-deficient state; thereafter, the container is allowed to stand, such that the seeds suspended within the liquid medium germinate and grow into seedlings. The young seedlings thus obtained can be further cultivated by static liquid culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventors: Chien-Young Chu, Wei-Ting Tsai
  • Patent number: 7069689
    Abstract: A system and method for regulating plant growth according to the creation of temperature gradients within the vegetative portion of a plant and its roots or rhizomes. A system of pipes or conduits capable of thermally manipulating their surrounding environment is placed within proximity of roots or rhizomes to create a temperature differential across the selected plant species. Through temperature variations created by thermally conductive pipes or conduits, plant growth can be regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventors: John P. Craven, Jack Davidson, Richard Bailey
  • Patent number: 7013599
    Abstract: A method of treating a distressed tree includes the steps of: creating a mixture comprising a fertilizer and a growth hormone and applying the mixture to a root area of the distressed tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventors: Don Wiley Smith, Peter Martin
  • Patent number: 7000348
    Abstract: A method and compositions for increasing ectomycorrhizal colonization of the roots of trees using an alkali metal formononetinate, formononetin or mixtures thereof is described. The method enhances the growth of healthy and impaired trees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Vamtech, LLC
    Inventors: Michael P. Amaranthus, Muraleedharan G. Nair, Taylor C. Reid
  • Patent number: 6973752
    Abstract: A process for planting aquatic plants and seeds underwater on the bottom and edges of an estuary, where an aquatic plant or seed which is ready for planting is positioned in a holder having a means for retaining the plant or seed. The holder further has a bottom gripping section which is secured to the holder. The preformed holders may be positioned on the bottom of the estuary or broadcast onto the surface thereof. The preferred bottom gripping sections are rocks, stones and mollusk shells. The holder also incorporates an organic button which retains the aquatic plant or seed during the planting process. The plant or seed retaining section can be designed to decompose in a predetermined period of time. This predetermined period of time may be correlated to the growing cycle of an aquatic plant or the germination cycle of an aquatic plant seed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: James F. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6665981
    Abstract: A process for planting aquatic plants underwater on the bottom and edges of estuary's where an aquatic plant which is ready for transplanting is positioned in a holder having a means for retaining the transplantable plant. The holder may be weighted with a bottom gripping section to secure the holder including the plant to the estuary bottom. The preformed holders may be positioned on the bottom of the estuary or broadcast on the surface. The preferred gripping sections are rocks, stones and mollusk shells. The holder also incorporates an organic button which retains the aquatic plant during the planting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: James F Anderson
  • Patent number: 6631585
    Abstract: A novel process for successfully intercropping corn and soybean plants is described herein. For best ecological results, the corn and soybeans are planted at specific predetermined distances at the same time of year. The corn and soybeans create a microclimate of humidity, as well as a root system and groundcover which effectively resists drought and erosion. Another advantage is use of conservation tillage which is compatible with the ecological longterm advantages of intercropping commercial annual grains and legumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Marvin J. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6622429
    Abstract: The invention is a method of processing grass sprigs comprising: digging the sprigs while in a dormant state; placing the thus dug grass sprigs in a plastic enclosure (i.e. a bag); sealing the plastic enclosure; and storing the grass sprigs as contained in the sealed plastic enclosure under predetermined temperature conditions so as to maintain the grass sprigs in the dormant state. The dormant sprigs can be taken out of storage at the desired time and transported to a planting site under substantially the same temperature conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Paul W. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6581327
    Abstract: A plant propagation apparatus is disclosed which comprises a flexible transparent enclosure. The enclosure is disposable, and could be formed of a polymer such as polyethylene. The enclosure would have at least two walls, formed of flexible material that facilitates transmission of light through the walls. Plant material is sealed within the enclosure, and nutrient solution is made available within the sealed enclosure for the plant. The enclosure is a low cost and effective method for propagating young plants and transporting them between the laboratory environment and a greenhouse or field. The enclosure may be configured to receive gas or carbon dioxide on its inner surface to a predetermined level of pressure, thereby affording the enclosure a flexible but stiff mechanical resistance that protects the young plant while it is growing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Clemson University
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Adelberg, Maria P. Delgado
  • Patent number: 6487817
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for using micro-variations of a biological living plant organism to generate music. The method includes the steps of detecting a plant microvoltage across a varying resistance of the biological living plant organism within a Wheatstone bridge, generating a feedback signal from an output of an external MIDI sound generator, subtracting the feedback signal from the plant microvoltage to provide a difference signal and providing the difference signal as a drive signal to the MIDI sound generator to generate music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Music of the Plants, LLP
    Inventor: Oberto Airaudi
  • Patent number: 6484441
    Abstract: In a method for raising the pH in acidic soils, said acidic soils are treated with crosslinked polyacrylates or polymethacrylates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Stockhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Aloys Hüttermann, Moitoba Zomorrodi
  • Patent number: 6389746
    Abstract: A method of propagating Arundo is disclosed. The invention relates to Arundo plants, stems and nodes and to methods of propagating new Arundo plants by using stem material as seed cane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: David I. Bransby